Determining the Heavy Metal Concentrations in Plants Exposed to Exhaust Gases Alongside the Sanliurfa Highway

Abstract

In this study, the aim was to determine the heavy metal accumulation in plants that grow alongside the highways connecting Sanliurfa with neighboring cities that are exposed to exhaust gases. Thus, the lead, copper, iron, cadmium, nickel, and zinc concentration in plants were analyzed. Moreover, these were assessed by determining the parameters such as chlorophyll, malondialdehyde and proline to indicate to what extent the plants were affected by the heavy metal stress. The findings of the study revealed that the heavy metal accumulation in plants varied depending on the distance between the plant and the highway, on density of vehicles, on climate changes, and on air and environmental conditions. It was also determined that there is a clear increase in the heavy metal accumulation in summer. Furthermore, it was revealed that the stress caused by the heavy metal accumulation reduced the chlorophyll ratio and increased the malondialdehyde and proline concentrations, which is an indication of exhaust gases' heavily affecting the environment. The fact that vegetation is seriously affected by exhaust gases means that humans are also